Sign up to be part of the Olathe Public Library's 2024 Summer Reading Program! There will be challenges, programs, and prizes for all ages. The Library link below provides details on all the events, and reading recommendations for kids, teens, and adults! Get the activities on your summer calendar so you don't miss out, and sign up now!

2024 Featured Events:

• • Summer Reading Kickoff May 28, Johnson County Square
  • Sticker and Bookmark Contest May 20 - June 28
  • Teen Beach Party at Lake Olathe June 13
  • Sunken Treasure Scavenger Hunts (at various city pools) June 18, July 18, August 1
  • Get a discount at the pool this summer with your Library Card!

Click here to visit the Olathe Public Library website and sign up

Read outside with a favorite book and a grown up, big brother or sister.

Grab a flashlight, a book and turn out the lights.

Ask a grown-up to read to you and to use different funny voices while reading.

Encourage your child to tell a story to or read to a favorite stuffed animal.

While reading with your child, look for pictures with the same number of syllables (tree/coat, pencil/bunny, etc).

Choose a favorite book and have your child find common items in the book such as tree, pencil, ball, etc.

Listen to your favorite actor read-aloud a picture book. Click here to access read-aloud books at storylineonline.net.

For a sensory activity add a thick layer of sand or flour to a baking tray. Encourage your child to write in the sand with their fingers. You might model horizontal, vertical, diagonal lines and a cross. Another idea is to have an alphabet chart for your child to look at while exploring writing. If your child is hesitant to write in the sand consider using a craft stick.

Self-portraits: Get out paper, drawing materials, and a mirror. Have your child create a self-portrait of themselves while looking in the mirror. As they are drawing point out features such as eyebrows and eyelashes.

Draw a straight line, wavy line, a zig zag line, and loopy line on paper. Allow room for your child to copy beneath each one. If this is too difficult, have them trace the lines.

Have your child make a book of their family members and/or friends. Encourage them to write their name (for some this may be a scribble, for others something that resembles a few letters, etc.)

Draw a picture with your child. For example, if you are drawing a picture of yourself at the park your “think aloud” might sound like this. “First I need to draw where I am. I am writing about the park. I will draw grass, playground with swings and a slide, and some trees. Draw while you are talking. Now have your child pick something to write about having them draw while “thinking aloud.”

Your child can practice the pincer grip by using a Q-tip and paint to write horizontal and vertical lines, circles, and crosses. You could even try writing in flour or corn meal with the Q-tip.

When you look outside, out a window or door, draw what you see. It can be another building, trees, a street, cars. Then show someone your drawing and tell them about it.

Spread shaving cream on the table. Have your child practice writing their name, letters, or horizontal and vertical lines, a cross, or circle.

When driving in the car, waiting at a restaurant, etc ask your child to identify if two words rhyme (stop/hop). A harder skill is for a child to produce another rhyming word. What rhymes with car?

Say two words and ask your child if they have the same sound at the beginning. Boy/Bird, Pizza/Moon, Dog/Dot

As you play outside, find the closest thing to you and count and clap the syllables. Find something that is far away and clap the syllables.

When you are at the grocery story, clap the syllables of items you add to your cart: milk, peanut butter, chips, cereal, apples, etc.